Flexible work request advice

[ChildcareIsBroken]

Hi everyone,
I'm about to write and submit a flexible work request. I'd like to reduce my hours to 3 days a week (instead of 5). Do you have any advice how to make sure the employer is less likely to reject my request?
Some info:

• my maternity cover stays and will work alongside me. Company also hired few more people for the same position.
• we haven't divided our work yet.
• they keep saying how happy they are to have me back and the work is behind after I've been away. Not because there's lack of people, but because I'm the most experienced team member and some mistakes have been made I need to fix now.

I'd appreciate any advice or success stories. TIA

Sounds like you need to redefine your role as a supervisor of these other people who are "doing" the job. You could promise you do less yourself but have the mentoring / training / fixing problems responsiblility. If you redefine the role you can ensure it fits within 3 days.

Propose not promise

This is the gov.uk application form assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1081300/request-flexible-working-pdfa-form.pdf

The reasons for rejection an application are:

• extra costs that will damage the business
• the work cannot be reorganised among other staff
• people cannot be recruited to do the work
• flexible working will affect quality and performance
• the business will not be able to meet customer demand
• there’s a lack of work to do during the proposed working times
• the business is planning changes to the workforce

Address each of the reasons for rejection in Sections 3 and 4 of the form.

Thanks for all the advice, it's very helpful!